Page 33 of How to Claim A Shadow King

I didn't have a chance to explore yesterday because he and his brethren interrupted the festival by claiming their brides.

Or making an ultimatum to claim them.

"I'll go get your clothes," Malakai says without another word, as I stare at his retreating form. He simply dematerializes, shadows curling around the closed door where he was standing just a moment ago.

"Well," I say to nobody, “that will take some getting used to."

Outside the window, a raven caws, reminding me that Ter must be somewhere nearby. My familiar, according to him, and to Wren and Piper. How strange it is, how much my life has changed in a mere day's time.

By the time I'm dressed and ready to go, it's fully mid-morning. The sun is warm, and the clear blue sky is overhead. I shield my eyes against it as I walk out of the beautiful inn and into the late fall sunshine.

I run my hands down the lavender-colored linen shift and pretty floral-patterned overdress that Wren was able to find for me. It's pretty and simple, and much less formal than my normal attire in Stormspire, and I'm grateful for the chance to blend in with all the people.

As far as I can tell, the inn is at the very outskirts of the small town, and the thick, green boughs and limbs of the Elder Forest are almost too close for comfort after last night's little adventure.

The sound of hoofbeats captures my attention, and I swing my gaze back to where the cobblestone road and tiled and thatched roofs wait to be explored. Malakai appears beside me, and for once, it doesn't scare me—which, frankly, is surprising. I didn't expect to get used to him, especially not his penchant for appearing and disappearing at a whim.

"I had a feeling you wouldn't be far behind," I say.

He's watching me carefully, like he expects me to sprint back into the woods at the first opportunity, and I can't quite blame him for that. In the distance, the horse I heard whinnies, and I crane my neck to watch its white tail flick as it disappears behind another building.

"Do you know I love horses?" I say conversationally, the admission prompting a strange look from him.

"You do? Would you like me to buy you one?" Malakai asks.

"Oh," I say, at a loss for words. "I'm not quite sure how to respond to that."

"You say yes or no," he replies matter-of-fact.

"Well, I'm not sure that I'll have a great need for a horse. In your castle, is there even a place for one?"

"I could very easily make a place for a horse if that is what you wish."

Something about the way he says it—he doesn't dismiss me, just simply wants me to be happy—warms my heart in a way that surprises me.

"What?" he asks, and I realize I'm staring at him.

Flustered, I turn back towards the town. "Why don't we walk and see what there is to see?"

No sooner have I said those words, my stomach grumbles.

"You're hungry," he says.

"Yes, I am," I tell him.

"We should eat."

"We should," I agree, perplexed and amused by his blunt way of speaking.

"What sounds good to you?"

"I don't know," I say. "Why don't we walk and see what there is to see?"

He considers this for a long moment, then nods his head in acquiescence. "Why not?"

And with that, we set off down the road, my sturdy shoes and thick woolen socks protecting my sore feet. “I don't think I've ever been quite so grateful for a pair of sensible shoes,” I say as we walk into town.

"You like them," he says.